by Deb Kalmbach | alcoholism, difficult relationships, encouragement, forgiveness, grace, loving others, marriage, perseverance, reconciliation, recovery, substance abuse
I used to think it was all Randy’s fault. If only he’d stop drinking, then we (or most importantly) I could be happy. I also thought I could change him. I could make him want to stay sober. I used ultimatums (you’d better stop drinking or…I’ll leave you…I’ll file for...
by Deb Kalmbach | aging parents, comfort, dads, encouragement, grief, hope, life
My brother posted this picture of our dad on Facebook on what would have been his 87th birthday. Dad passed away on January 1 and it still doesn’t seem quite real that he’s gone. Friends who have lost loved ones have told me the “firsts” are...
by Deb Kalmbach | aging parents, encouragement, God's faithfulness, gratitude, Thanksgiving
We’ve come to the end of another Thanksgiving weekend–the first Thanksgiving in many years that we’ve stayed home for the holiday. Usually we travel over the mountains, through the woods, and on the ferry to my parents’ home on...
by Deb Kalmbach | detours, encouragement, gratitude, writers conference, writing
Last weekend I came home once again. I attended the Northwest Christian Writers Association Writers Renewal in Seattle. I love working the registration desk because I get to throw my arms around old friends and give an enthusiastic welcome to newcomers–imagining...
by Deb Kalmbach | balance, encouragement, priorities
I recently watched the movie, Flash of Genius.It’s a touching story based on Dr. Robert Kearns’ invention of the intermittent windshield wiper. Wow! I had no idea how this technology came into being. Now my sense of gratitude for wipers that swipe over my...
by Deb Kalmbach | encouragement, love, marriage
I have a sign my friend Jenni painted for me that hangs in our living room. The message is simple, yet profoundly difficult: Love never fails, words from 1 Corinthians 13, the well-known love chapter in the Bible. I’m more keenly aware of the meaning as Randy...
